By Mark Ellis — 
When a discouraged Muslim pilgrim boarded a bus in Mecca to return home, he wasn’t prepared for a personal encounter with Jesus and the filling of the Holy Spirit.
“Omar’s life was empty and yet full of troubles,” recounts Erick Schenkel, executive director of the JESUS Film Project. “He was weary and without hope,” he notes, relating a story from a key ministry director in the Middle East.
When Omar shared his dejected condition with a friend, he advised him to go on the holy pilgrimage.
The pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj) is one of the five pillars of Islam and a mandatory religious obligation for Muslims. All adult Muslims who are able to undertake the journey must take part in it at least once during their lifetime. The annual gathering during the Hajj is considered the largest assembly of people in the world.
Omar heeded his friend’s advice because nothing else seemed to be working in his life. So, he went, looking for hope and peace, and joined the hordes of white-robed pilgrims assembled at Islam’s holiest site, according to the JESUS Film Project.
He carried out the various rituals at the holy sites, including “Stoning the Devil,” by climbing a bridge and throwing seven stones at a pillar said to represent the evil one.
But when he completed all the sacred rites, he still felt emptiness inside. He pulled aside another pilgrim and confided, “They told me I would find solutions and hope here. I haven’t. I’m still weary, worse than before and don’t know what to do.”
Disheartened, Omar walked to the bus station to return home. The station was normally jammed with people, but not this time. There was only one bus sitting there, and it was empty. It seemed like an odd situation, but he boarded anyway.
The driver said to Omar: “We don’t have any passengers yet, but I can see you have a problem. There’s a store over there. See that large rock? Just go sit on that rock and talk to Isa [their name for Jesus].”
“But why?” Omar asked the driver.
“Try it. Go there. Talk to Isa. You’ve tried everything else.” Omar complied, wondering, How would he know I’ve tried everything else?
Omar walked over and sat down on the rock. The moment he said the name “Isa,” his body began to shake. He felt something powerful filling his heart and body.
“I spent two hours there without being conscious of the passing of time,” he told the JESUS Film Project.
The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit. John 3:8
Finally, Omar regained his composure and went back to find the same bus and the mysterious driver, but the bus was gone. So he took a taxi to his next stop.
When he finally got home, Omar looked for someone who could answer his questions about Isa. He felt compelled to understand what happened.
Omar finally found a man who knew something about Isa. The man said, “I can’t help you, but someone gave me a DVD, a film called ‘Isa.’ Come to my house for dinner and we will watch together.”
Omar went to the man’s house and they shared a meal together. After dinner they sat down to watch the JESUS Film.
When the DVD got to the point when John baptized Jesus in the Jordan River, Omar’s eyes widened in disbelief. He saw the face of the actor who portrayed Jesus and he began shouting: “Wow, that’s the driver! That’s the driver in the bus! He’s the One who told me to talk to Isa!”
Omar watched the entire “JESUS” Film and heard a clear presentation of the Gospel, including the words of Jesus, found in the Book of Luke.
Now he understood what happened to him in his encounter with the bus driver. He had met Isa! Omar surrendered his life to Jesus as his Savior and Lord.
A strong believer in a neighboring country is currently discipling Omar, and he is growing in his understanding of what it means to follow Jesus moment-by-moment.
With a heart that overflows with gratitude, he is quick to offer praise, “ to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ!” (Romans 16:27)
If you want to know more about a personal relationship with God, go here
This account came directly from a key ministry director in the Middle East who trains and encourages “JESUS” teams in this region. To know more about the work of the JESUS Film Project, go here
That was one awesome story….just wonderful…it gives me hope of seeing Jesus physically one day but until then I will live vicariously through those who have experienced Jesus in a close and person way! This was a great story of faith when one gets discouraged and filled with unbelief. Thank you Mark!
Seeing Jesus physically is not His greatest manifestation to us. Seeing with the eyes of our spirits is even greater. No need to live “vicariously” through others’ experiences. Seek HIM daily! You WILL see Him and experience Him in a “close and personal way.” It is the desire of HIS heart to fellowship with you. Jesus said: “No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you FRIENDS…” John 15:15
I would suggest that it was in fact an angel who appeared in the form of the actor who played Jesus in the film, not Jesus himself (see Revelation chapter 1 for a description of how our Saviour looks now). But anyway, whoever it was, praise God for how He is calling people everywhere to Himself.
I have been praying that the book of Joel 2:28 will be fulfilled that the whole world will know Jesus before he comes and and I can see that God is answering this prayer every time I come across a testimony like this it bring me to tears I know our lord and savior is at work he want all nation to know him, he die for every person on this planet and he is at work I can’t praise him enough i cant wait for my family to have that kind of experience i will keep on praying till it happen what a loving savior we have i love him so much…..looking forward for his soon return Martina
Its awesome to read this awesome news of reality. GOD IS AWESOMELY AWESOME
Awesome. It is my prayer that many Muslims will experience the same encounter.
Hello Brothers and sisters
AN arab woman asked me that testimony written in arab
Is it possible to get it ?
A lot of blessings to you in advance
And thanks for your work for the Lord
I haven’t had the means to donate to your Breaking News magazine, but when I can soon, I will. I thrill at the stories of God’s work and it brings tears of joy. Thank you for being there.
a diamond
please look on the top right of this page where the “search” box is. Just below it is a ” translation” option thing where you can choose to make this story into any language including Arabic. God bless you
How great is our God! He loves all He has created and His son Jesus Christ died to redeem all, including that Muslim man and all Muslims. Praying that He will continue to reveal Himself to many more, if not, all. No one can stop Him…all power belongs to Him, but He allows us to use our free will to accept His love and gift of salvation.
Loved
This is a wonderful storie we would all like to have this encounter with jesus i pray for all the people who do not know jesus or neaver heard of ourlord and savior that he will show himself to them then all the terable things happenning in the world can end we need to pray and thank God for his help and protection Amen
The story warms my heart!!!! Every announced Hajj I end up praying for the manifestation of Jesus even in Mecca and Medina. My prayers for Mecca and Medina are based on the fact of God´s love for all nations and peoples, and that Earth is the Lord´s. Jesus came in flesh, lived in it and died on it´s behalf, giving us authority and responsibility among all nations (Matthew 28:18-20). Even Mecca and Medina must open its doors to the Kingdom. Even if there are weeds, so too seeds of faith must take root even there (Matthew 13:30)!
Hi brothers and sisters , please send me the woman email and I will translate the story to Arabic language.
God bless you all.
I met Jesus in the alley by my house. I was almost five…a lady told me if I asked Him into my heart .. He would come into my heart and be my Friend. I am 67 now and He is still my Friend. I am glad Omar met Him.
Wonderful testimony, I share his joy!!!
Welcome to the Father’s family Omar!
Praise God that he is causing Arabs to see and feel the love of Jesus.
A great testimony, I hope his family will accept him & also turn to Jesus. Jesus is alive. Amen.
So is Omar that person in the first picture? Or is it for presentation purposes only?
The JESUS Film Project used that photo but did not identify the person as Omar.
Thank you.
JESUS knows who His sheep are and they know His voice. He goes looking for His lost sheep and He will always find them. Praise the LORD!!!
Praise be to the Lord!! I wept with joy when I read how Jesus made Himself known to this dear man who was searching for meaning in his life. Jesus is so wonderful and will soon return for His Bride. He came and appeared to me in my home when I was 8 years old. I am now 77 years old and He has been my precious Saviour all these years. I am so looking forward to seeing Him face to face.
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